When you walk down Main Street in Portland, Tennessee, there’s a feeling you notice right away. It’s small-town charm mixed with a strong sense of community—the kind of place where people still know each other at the local breakfast spot. That spirit doesn’t happen by accident. It’s nurtured by people like Kristen Hope, the new President and CEO of the Portland Chamber of Commerce.
Kristen’s story is rooted in Middle Tennessee. Growing up in Greenbrier, she even called Portland a rival back in her school days. Life has a way of shifting things, though—marriage brought her to Portland, and eventually, so did purpose.
From Part-Time Help to President
Kristen didn’t set out to lead a chamber. In fact, she admits she didn’t even know what a chamber was when she first applied. After years in corporate sales, travel, and long hours, she stepped back to be with her daughter, who has special needs. That’s when she discovered a part-time opening at the Portland Chamber.
What started with answering phones and helping with events quickly grew into much more. Kristen’s natural gift for relationships, paired with her all-in approach, carried her from administrative assistant to President and CEO.
“I’m just the type of person that when I’m in, I’m all in,” she said.
Building a Culture of Connection
Under Kristen’s leadership—and the foundation laid by her predecessor—the chamber has grown from under 100 members to more than 400. That growth isn’t just numbers on paper. It reflects a business community that wants to be involved, to give back, and to make Portland a stronger place.
Kristen describes the chamber’s role as deeply community-focused. Whether it’s supporting industrial partners who can’t always be physically present, organizing the annual back-to-school bash that gives away 800 backpacks, or preparing for the iconic Strawberry Festival that draws 50,000 people to town each year, the chamber has become a heartbeat for Portland.
A Vision for the Future
Kristen has her eyes on both practical needs and bold hopes. Water supply and infrastructure are key to supporting Portland’s growth. Partnerships with the city and local leaders matter, too—because as Kristen says, working together keeps things from getting messy.
She even has a very specific dream: “I hope we have a hotel on the Sumner County side of Portland in the next five years.”
It’s a goal rooted in both practicality and vision—helping Portland welcome visitors while keeping the economic impact local.
Leading with Hospitality
When asked what “good work” means to her, Kristen answered simply: using your gifts to serve others. For her, that means hospitality and building connections. She has a natural instinct for matchmaking—introducing people and ideas that spark something bigger than they could accomplish alone.
It’s a leadership style that feels less like a title and more like an invitation. Transparent. Family-focused. Welcoming.
A Life of Balance
Even as she leads with passion, Kristen makes space to care for herself. She loves to read (even if she keeps buying books before finishing the ones on her shelf), plays piano to unwind, and leans on her supportive husband and daughter for joy at home.
It’s a reminder that good leaders pour into others best when they’ve cared for themselves first.
Portland is in good hands. With Kristen at the chamber’s helm, the future looks like more connection, more growth, and more opportunities for people to feel at home—whether they’ve been here for generations or are just passing through for strawberries.